Traversable and Pivotable Platform System

ABSTRACT

A platform system including a guide establishing a platform translation axis and having upper and lower surfaces, a carriage translatably coupled to the guide along the platform translation axis and engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the guide, a platform coupled to the carriage and including at least a portion that is pivotable in a direction transverse to the platform translation axis, and a stepway movably coupled to at least one of the carriage or the platform.

The present disclosure is directed to platforms and production machines and, more particularly, to traversable platforms and to glassware forming machines.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The science of glass container manufacture is currently served by the so-called individual section (IS) machine, which includes several manufacturing sections, each having multiple operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into hollow glass articles and transferring the articles through successive stages of the machine section. In general, an IS machine may include a source of glass, a mechanism for generating streams of molten glass, a shear mechanism for cutting the molten glass into individual gobs, and a gob distributor for distributing the individual gobs among the individual machine sections. Each machine section may include several blank molds in which glass gobs are initially blown or pressed into blanks, several blow molds in which the blanks are blown into containers, and several invert arms for transferring the blanks from the blank molds to the blow molds. Also, each machine section may include a take-out mechanism for removing the molded containers onto a deadplate, and a sweepout mechanism for transferring the containers from the deadplate onto a conveyor that receives containers from all of the sections and conveys the containers downstream to a loader for transfer to an annealing lehr. Further, each section may include operating mechanisms to close mold halves, move baffles and plungers, control cooling wind, and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,544 includes a background discussion of the art of both “blow and blow” and “press and blow” glassware forming processes, and discusses an electropneumatic individual section machine adapted for use in either process.

A general object of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, is to provide a platform that is traversable, for instance, along a machine to enable worker access to out-of-reach portions of the machine, for example, upper portions of a glassware forming machine, and that is pivotable, for instance, away from the machine to avoid interference with portion of the machine when repositioning the platform along the machine.

The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

A platform system in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes a guide establishing a platform translation axis and having upper and lower surfaces, a carriage translatably coupled to the guide along the platform translation axis and engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the guide, a platform coupled to the carriage and including at least a portion that is pivotable in a direction transverse to the platform translation axis, and a stepway movably coupled to at least one of the carriage or the platform.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an individual section glassware forming machine that includes a linear conveyor for receiving and transporting articles of glassware, and a plurality of individual glassware forming sections disposed adjacent to each other along one side of the conveyor and operable to form articles of glassware from molten glass gobs and transfer such articles of glassware onto the linear conveyor. The machine also includes a platform system disposed on a side of the conveyor opposite the sections, and including a track disposed in a fixed position spaced above a floor, adjacent and parallel to the linear conveyor on a side of the conveyor opposite the sections, and establishing a platform translation axis and having upper and lower surfaces. The platform system also includes a platform moveable along the track and including a portion translatably coupled to the track along the platform translation axis and engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the track, and also including at least a portion that is pivotable in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction along which the track extends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will be best understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a platform system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and a glassware forming machine to which the platform system is coupled to provide access to portions of the machine that would be out-of-reach to a worker standing on a floor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a portion of the system and the machine of FIG. 1, illustrating an example mounting arrangement of the system to the machine;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side view of the system of FIG. 1, taken along line 3 of FIG. 1, and illustrating a carriage coupled to a guide;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the system and a portion of the machine of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, and illustrating a platform of the system in a horizontal position over the carriage;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side view of the system of FIG. 3, taken from box 5 of FIG. 4, and illustrating the carriage and the guide, and a portion of a restraint;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the system and a portion of the machine of FIG. 1, similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the system in a pivoted position, angularly spaced away from the carriage;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side view of the system of FIG. 6, taken from box 7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a platform system in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and illustrating a platform of the system in a deployed position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of the platform system of FIG. 8, illustrating the platform in a partially retracted position, wherein a pivotable portion of the platform is pivoted toward its retracted position;

FIG. 10 is another fragmentary side view of the platform system of FIG. 8, illustrating the platform in a further partially retracted position, wherein another pivotable portion of the platform is pivoted toward its retracted position; and

FIG. 11 is a further fragmentary side view of the platform system of FIG. 8, illustrating the platform in a fully retracted position, wherein pivotable portions of the platform are pivoted toward their retracted positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a platform system 100 that may be coupled to a machine 10, for example, a glass forming individual section machine. As will be described in detail herein below, the platform system 100 enables a worker to access upper portions of the machine 10 that otherwise would be out of reach of a worker standing on the factory floor, or would require the worker to stand on the machine conveyor, or the like, and thereby requiring machine deactivation and interruption of production. As also will be described in detail herein below, the platform system 100 may include a portion that is traversable along the machine 10 to provide lateral access thereto, and a portion that is pivotable away from the machine 10 to avoid interference with portions of the machine 10.

The machine 10 may be similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,544, except for features of the present disclosure, which will be described in detail below. U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,544 is assigned to the assignee hereof and is incorporated herein by reference. In general, the machine 10 may include a linear conveyor 12 for receiving and transporting articles of glassware G, a plurality of individual glassware forming sections 14 disposed adjacent to each other along one side of the conveyor 12 and operable to form the articles of glassware G from molten glass gobs (not shown) and transfer such articles of glassware G onto the linear conveyor 12. The machine 10 also may include various vertical elements 16, which may include conduit, supports, or the like.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the platform system 100 may be disposed on an outboard side of the conveyor 12 opposite the sections 14, and generally may include a track or guide 102 carried by the machine 10 spaced above the floor and establishing a platform translation axis T, and a carriage 104 translatably coupled to the guide 102 along the platform translation axis T. The machine sections 14 may be disposed inboard with respect to the axis T. The system 100 also may include a stand or platform 106 having at least a portion that is pivotable away from the machine 10 in a direction transverse to the platform translation axis T to avoid interference with portions of the machine 10. For example, the platform 106 itself may be pivotably coupled to the carriage 104 between a horizontal position of the platform 106 over the carriage 104 and an angled position of the platform 106 angularly displaced away from the carriage 104 and the horizontal position. The system 100 further may include a stepway 108 movably coupled to at least one of the carriage 104 or the platform 106, for example, for movement between a lowered position for mounting the platform 106 and a raised position for moving the platform 106 along the guide 102. As used herein, the term “stepway” includes: a ramp, for instance, a step ramp, or a continuous incline ramp; stairs; or any other suitable device that facilitates pedestrian ascent. The system 100 additionally may include a guide support 110 to support an overhanging or free end of the guide 102. The guide support 110 may include an adjustable stanchion resting on the floor as illustrated, a hangar from the ceiling, or any other suitable support.

Referring to FIG. 2, the guide 102 may be coupled to the machine frame 18. For example, the guide 102 may be disposed in a fixed position, adjacent and parallel to a machine frame 18 on a side of conveyor 12 that is opposite of the individual sections 14 (FIG. 1). The guide 102 may be spaced outboard of and below an upper surface of conveyor 12. The machine frame 18 may include one or more weldments, castings, or any other suitable structural support. The guide 102 may be coupled to the machine frame 18 by supports 112. The supports 112 may be welded to outboard facing surfaces 20 of the frame 18, fastened to the frame 18 with any suitable fasteners 114, or otherwise coupled to the frame 18 in any other suitable manner.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the guide 102 may include a rail that may be diamond-shaped in transverse cross-section and may include inboard and outboard upper surfaces 116, 118 and inboard and outboard lower surfaces 120, 122. The supports 112 may be fastened to extensions 124 of the guide 102 with any suitable fasteners 126, welded thereto, or otherwise coupled to the guide 102 in any other suitable manner.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the carriage 104 may be movably clamped to the guide 102 such that the carriage 104 is traversable along, but is not pivotable about, the platform translation axis A. For example, the carriage 104 may include portions to clamp the guide 102 between corresponding surfaces of the guide 102. In a more particular example, the carriage 104 may include, in one embodiment, a body 128 and rollers 130 carried by the body 128 to engage the guide 102. The rollers 130 may include inboard and outboard upper rollers to engage the upper surfaces 116, 118 of the guide 102 and inboard and outboard lower rollers to engage the lower surfaces 120, 122 of the guide 102. The rollers 130 may be carried by the body 128 via fixed or rotatable shafts 132, which may be oriented vertically and coupled to the body 128 in any suitable manner. In other embodiments, the carriage 104 additionally or instead may include low friction non-rotatable components like pads, bushings, or the like (not shown) for sliding engagement with the guide 102. The carriage 104 may be of any other suitable configuration and may include any other suitable components to allow translatable, supported movement along the guide 102. The carriage 104 also may include a platform lock extension 134 that may be an integral part of, or a separate component that is fastened, welded, or otherwise coupled to, the carriage body.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the platform system 100 also may include a brake or platform lock 136 to prevent movement of the platform 106 relative to the guide 102, for example, by locking the platform 106 in fixed position with respect to the guide 102. The platform lock 136 may be carried by the carriage 104 and may be engageable with the guide 102 to lock the carriage 104 with respect to the guide 102. For example, the platform lock 136 may be coupled to the extension 134, or may be carried by the carriage 104 or any other suitable portion of the platform 106 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform lock 136 may include a body 138 that may be coupled to the extension 134 of the carriage body 128, for example, by a nut 135 (or by welding, press-fit, or in any other suitable manner), a retractable handle 140, and a pin 142 coupled to the handle 140 and extendable through one or more axially spaced apart apertures 144 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in the guide 102.

Referring to FIG. 4, the platform 106 may include a base portion 146 including a first support portion 148 coupled to the carriage 104 about a platform pivot axis P. The support portion 148 may include one or more downwardly projecting flanges 149 that may be coupled to one or more rearwardly extending flanges 105 of the carriage 104. The platform 106 also may include a bridge portion 150 extending from the base portion 146, and an extension portion 152 extending from the bridge portion 150. The bridge portion 150 and the extension portion 152 may be cantilevered from the base portion 146. In one embodiment, the bridge portion 150 may include an intermediate step 154, a first riser 156 extending upwardly from the base portion 146 to the intermediate step 154, and a second riser 158 extending downwardly from the intermediate step 154 to the extension portion 152. The platform first support portion 148 may be pivotably coupled to the carriage 104 about the platform pivot axis P on a first or outboard side of the guide 102. The platform 106 also may include a second support portion 160 that may be releasably engageable with a portion of the machine 10 on a second or inboard side of the guide 102. The second support portion 160 may include a spacer or a leveler, which may be a fixed member fastened, welded, or otherwise coupled to a corresponding portion of the platform 106. The machine portion with which the second support portion 160 may be releasably engageable, may include one or more heat shields of the machine 10. The support portions 148, 160 may be carried by, or may be part of, the base portion 146.

Still referring to FIG. 4, and as also shown in FIG. 1, the platform system 100 also may include hand rails 162 that may be carried by the platform 106. For example, the hand rails 162 may be laterally spaced apart on either sides of the platform 106. Also, the hand rails 162 may include rearward ends 164 coupled to the base portion 146 of the platform 106, and forward ends 166 coupled to the bridge portion 150, for example, to the intermediate step 154. The hand rails 162 may be fastened, welded, or otherwise coupled to the platform 106 in any other suitable manner.

The platform 106 may be pivotably coupled to the carriage 104 about the platform pivot axis P, which may be substantially, but not necessarily perfectly, parallel to the platform translation axis. As used herein, substantially parallel includes within ten angular degrees. Accordingly, the platform 106 may be pivotable with respect to the carriage 104 between the horizontal position of the platform 106 over the carriage 104, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the angled position of the platform 106 angularly spaced away from the carriage 104 and the horizontal position, for example, as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the stepway 108 may be pivotably coupled to the carriage 104 and/or the platform 106 to pivot with respect thereto about a stepway pivot axis S. Accordingly, the stepway 108 may be foldable away from, toward, and against, a portion of the platform 106. The stepway 108 may be pivotable between a first position extending below the stepway pivot axis S and, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a second position extending above the stepway pivot axis S when the platform 106 is in the horizontal position. The stepway pivot axis S and the platform pivot axis P may be coaxial and substantially, but not necessarily perfectly, parallel with the platform translation axis T.

Referring to FIG. 4, the platform system 100 further may include a hangar or latch 168 for selectively engaging the stepway 108 and holding the stepway 108 in a raised position. The latch 168 may be carried by one or both of the handrails 162. For example, the latch 168 may be pivotably coupled to a side of a handrail 162 for retention of a rung, or other suitable portion of the stepway 108, or to another component that may be coupled to the stepway 108. Also, the stepway 108 may include one or more floor engagement devices 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 170 includes a caster having a bracket 172 that may be fixed to an end of the stepway 108 that is distal with respect to the stepway pivot axis S, and a roller 174 carried by the bracket 172. The roller 174 may be rotatable along a fixed rotational axis C that may be substantially parallel with the stepway pivot axis S. In other embodiments, the device 170 may include stationary or movable feet, rotatable casters, or the like (not shown).

Still referring to FIG. 4, and as also partially shown in FIG. 5, the platform system 100 also may include a restraint 176 coupled to the carriage 104 and the platform 106 to limit pivotal or angular travel of the platform 106 relative to the carriage 104. For example, the restraint 176 may include a bracket 178 pivotably coupled to the carriage 104, and having a guide slot, which may include a first portion 180 into which a pin 182 of the restraint 176 may extend away from the platform base portion 146, and through which the pin 182 may travel when the restraint bracket 178 is pivoted about a restraint pivot axis R to release the platform 106 for pivoting. The guide slot also may include a second portion 184 disposed at a greater-than-zero angle with respect to the first portion 180 and into which the pin 182 may travel when the platform 106 is pivoted away from its horizontal position about the platform pivot axis P.

Accordingly, and referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the platform 106 may be pivoted toward and to its angled position angularly spaced from the horizontal position, and may be restrained by the restraint 176 when the restraint pin 182 (FIG. 7) is at the end or limit of the second portion 184 of the restraint bracket guide slot. Accordingly, the platform 106 is traversable along the machine 10 via the carriage 104 and the guide 102 to provide lateral access thereto, and is pivotable away from the machine 10 to avoid interference with portions (e.g. elements 16—FIG. 1) thereof when the platform 106 is repositioned laterally along the machine 10.

FIGS. 8-11 show another illustrative embodiment of a platform system 200. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here.

The platform system 200 is substantially similar to the system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, with a few exceptions. In one example, a platform 206 may include a second support portion 260, which may include a fixed member, or even one or more roller members to assist with translation of the platform 206 with respect to the machine. In another example, the platform 206 itself is not necessarily pivotable with respect to the carriage 104, but portions of the platform 206 are pivotable in a direction transverse to the platform translation axis. For instance, the second riser 158 and/or the extension 152 may be pivotable about pivot axes 159, 153.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 11, the extension 152 may be pivotable about the extension pivot axis 153 with respect to the second riser 158 and may rest against the second riser 158 in a retracted or folded condition. In another embodiment, and referring to FIG. 12, the second riser 158 may be pivotable about a riser pivot axis 159 with respect to the step 154. In a further embodiment, and referring to FIG. 13, both the extension 152 and the second riser 158 may be pivotable wherein the extension 152 may rest against the step 154 and/or the first riser 156 in a retracted or folded condition of the extension 152 and the second riser 158. In an additional embodiment, although not shown, the second riser 158 may be fixed or non-pivotable but the extension 152 may be pivotably coupled to second riser 158. In any embodiment, the extension 152 may be pivotable with respect to the bridge 150.

Accordingly, with respect to FIG. 10, the platform 206 is traversable along the machine 10 via the carriage 104 and the guide 102 to provide lateral access thereto, and includes one or more portions pivotable away from the machine 10 to avoid interference with portions (e.g. elements 16) thereof when the platform 206 is repositioned laterally along the machine 10.

As used herein, directional words such as top, bottom, upper, upward, downward, lower, radial, circumferential, lateral, longitudinal, transverse, vertical, horizontal, and the like are employed by way of description and not necessarily limitation.

There thus has been disclosed a platform system for a machine, that fully satisfies all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with several illustrative embodiments, and additional modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing discussion. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 

1. A platform system that includes: a guide establishing a platform translation axis and having upper and lower surfaces; a carriage translatably coupled to the guide along the platform translation axis and engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the guide; a platform coupled to the carriage and including at least a portion that is pivotable in a direction transverse to the platform translation axis; and a stepway movably coupled to at least one of the carriage or the platform.
 2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the platform is pivotably coupled to the carriage between a horizontal position of the platform over the carriage and an angled position of the platform angularly displaced away from the carriage and the horizontal position.
 3. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the stepway is foldable toward a portion of the platform.
 4. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the stepway is pivotably coupled to at least one of the carriage or the platform to pivot with respect thereto about a stepway pivot axis between a first position extending below the stepway pivot axis and a second position extending above the stepway pivot axis when the platform is in the horizontal position.
 5. The system set forth in claim 4 wherein the stepway pivot axis and the platform pivot axis are coaxial and substantially parallel with the platform translation axis.
 6. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the platform includes a base portion including a first support portion coupled to the carriage about the platform pivot axis, a bridge portion extending from the base portion, and an extension portion extending from the bridge portion.
 7. The system set forth in claim 6 wherein the bridge portion and the extension portion are cantilevered from the base portion.
 8. The system set forth in claim 7 wherein the pivotable portion includes the extension portion pivotably coupled to the bridge portion.
 9. The system set forth in claim 6 wherein the bridge portion includes an intermediate step, a first riser extending upwardly from the base step to the intermediate step, and a second riser extending downwardly from the intermediate step to the extension portion.
 10. The system set forth in claim 9, wherein the pivotable portion includes the second riser pivotably coupled to the intermediate step.
 11. The system set forth in claim 10, wherein the pivotable portion also includes the extension portion pivotably coupled to the second riser.
 12. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the platform includes a first support portion pivotably coupled to the carriage about the platform pivot axis on a first or outboard side of the guide and a second support portion releasably engageable with a portion of the machine on a second or inboard side of the guide.
 13. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the carriage is movably clamped to the rail such that the carriage is traversable along, but is not pivotable about, the platform translation axis.
 14. The system set forth in claim 13 wherein the carriage includes a body and rollers carried by the body to engage the guide.
 15. The system set forth in claim 14 wherein the guide includes a rail that is diamond-shaped in transverse cross-section and includes inboard and outboard upper surfaces and inboard and outboard lower surfaces, and wherein the rollers include inboard and outboard upper rollers to engage the upper surfaces of the rail and inboard and outboard lower rollers to engage the lower surfaces of the rail.
 16. The system set forth in claim 13 that includes a platform lock carried by the carriage and engageable with the guide to lock the carriage with respect to the guide.
 17. The system set forth in claim 1 that includes a restraint coupled to the carriage and the platform to limit angular travel of the platform relative to the carriage.
 18. A glassware forming machine that includes the system of claim 1, and a machine frame to which the guide is coupled.
 19. The machine set forth in claim 18, which includes a linear conveyor for receiving and transporting articles of glassware, and a plurality of individual glassware forming sections disposed adjacent to each other along one side of the conveyor, wherein the platform system is disposed on a side of the conveyor opposite of the sections.
 20. An individual section glassware forming machine that includes: a linear conveyor for receiving and transporting articles of glassware, a plurality of individual glassware forming sections disposed adjacent to each other along one side of said conveyor, the sections being operable to form articles of glassware from molten glass gobs and transfer such articles of glassware onto said linear conveyor, and a platform system disposed on a side of said conveyor opposite said sections, said platform system including: a track disposed in a fixed position spaced above a floor, adjacent and parallel to said linear conveyor on a side of said conveyor opposite said sections, and establishing a platform translation axis and having upper and lower surfaces, and a platform moveable along said track and including a portion translatably coupled to the track along the platform translation axis and engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the track, and also including at least a portion that is pivotable in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction along which said track extends.
 21. The machine set forth in claim 20 wherein said platform is contoured overlying said conveyor to permit passage of articles of glassware on said conveyor beneath said platform.
 22. The machine set forth in claim 20 wherein said platform includes a stepway coupled to said platform for movement between a lowered position for mounting said platform and a raised position for moving said platform along said track.
 23. The machine set forth in claim 22 wherein said platform includes a hanger for selectively engaging said stepway and holding said stepway in said raised position.
 24. The machine set forth in claim 20 including a brake between said platform and said track for locking said platform in fixed position with respect to said track.
 25. The machine set forth in claim 20 wherein the platform system includes a carriage translatable along the track and the platform is pivotably coupled to the carriage between a horizontal position of the platform over the carriage and an angled position of the platform angularly displaced away from the carriage and the horizontal position.
 26. The machine set forth in claim 20 wherein the platform system includes a carriage translatable along the track and the platform includes a base portion including a first support portion coupled to the carriage, a bridge portion extending from the base portion, and an extension portion extending from the bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion and the extension portion are cantilevered from the base portion, and wherein the pivotable portion includes the extension portion pivotably coupled to the bridge portion.
 27. The machine set forth in claim 26 wherein the bridge portion includes an intermediate step, a first riser extending upwardly from the base step to the intermediate step, and a second riser extending downwardly from the intermediate step to the extension portion, wherein the pivotable portion also includes the second riser pivotably coupled to the intermediate step. 